There was once a king who had a daughter name Nos who was strong and smart and was beautiful but her greatest flaw was her pride and arrogance.
She was not one to turn down from a challenge but because she was so keen from being hurt, she would reject any proposals and ridiculed them.
"Nos you cannot always reject every man that comes!" Her father shouted.
"Why must I be married?" She asked as she read a book of poetry.
"Because I want grandchildren for sakes! I am not as young as I use to be! You must be married. I don't want you to be alone."
"But no one does not catch my attention."
She will not bear the pain in being with someone who could hurt her.
The next day
As she entered the throne she was surprised to find the man slightly short and a ghastly grizzled beard!
"Your beard is like a thrush!" She blurted and blushes from her reaction.
The said king glared. "Well you're spoiled as a rotten apple." And he left.
"That is it! Tomorrow by morning, the first man that come entering in will marry you." Zurg glared.
Nos fumes and left, unaware of a figure hearing the commotion. The said king with a thrushbeard had a plan. He enters in to see the said princess's father there.
"Oh I am terribly sorry about my daughter-"
"I was hoping to still ask for her hand only if you could hear my plan…."
The next day the king was too angry from yesterday he had to find some way to calm down. Just when he was ready to call it a day, he heard the most beautiful song played.
He looked through the window and was happy to hear the song was soothing him from a man covered in bandages.
"Minstrel sir please enter in!"
The said man enters in as he holds his flute.
"Your music was beautiful! I would like to offer my daughter's hand as payment."
"Thank you sir."
Nos was shocked and by far against it but what her father promised, she was married and because of the marriage, she was to go with her husband. As they traveled through the road she was in awed by the land itself.
"Who owns this beautiful land?"
"King thrushbeard owns the land. It's quite a big land." He said happily.
Nos was surprised and already she regret rejecting him.
"Am I unworthy Nos?" He asked.
Nos felt guilt and shook her head. "No you are, I am just curious."
The minstrel kept quiet but secretly XR was trying not to laugh. 'I do hope she forgives me after this.' After passing through the town, they made it to the small little home XR had ready.
"It is quite small." Nos commented.
"You don't like it?" He asked.
"No- I meant not that it is bad- I apologize." She spoke.
XR heard many things about the princess but to see her stammer was cute. "Well, best we get to the field and gather food for harvest."
Nos was surprised and frowned. She never had done tasks much less labor! But she would not fail. 'I can do it!'
Later that day
"It doesn't hurt to ask." XR stated as Nos was trying, after many times, cutting cherries from the tree. She has through the hard labor, been trying and failing after different tasks. Pulling the carrots but only getting half out and nearly breaking the tools if her husband hadn't stopped her. She was already embarrassed how useless she was but thankful her husband was patient.
Nos, tired at failing, asked as he showed her how to cut the cherries properly.
"Well I should have known you being a princess, doing simple chores would be too hard on you."
"I am sorry I am useless." Nos frowns as she cut some cherries out.
"Well nobody's perfect." He stated as he finished up.
"Well it's getting late, better head in and begin making dinner, I can show you how to cook." He said happily and she nodded. That was how it was for the first few days. She would learn how to work and slowly she was getting better as XR was slowly able to break through the walls she surrounded herself.
The hard one was sharing a bed together. Although married, Nos would rather sleep on the floor for she knew she was not in loved with her husband as well being married unexpectedly. XR on his half understood but he did truly love her and wishes to hold her and comfort her as a husband should. Regardless, he was glad she wasn't as spoiled as before but he still believed she needed a little more to humble her spirit.
The next day while she was weaving baskets, XR brought home pots and pans.
"Since I cannot earn enough money being a minstrel, I need you to sell these pots and pans."
Nos was nervous about this, fearing she would be laughed at and ridiculed. XR seeing this held his wife's hands.
"I know you're afraid but please I need your help."
Nos looked to his eyes and for a moment she had not once see him face to face with the bandages wrapping his face.
Nos nodded. "I will help."
XR watched as he was disguised as a knight as Nos was selling the pots and pans. He was surprised Nos was selling them on the spot but was a little jealous when men would try to reach out to flirt with her but she would only nod and thank them after buying the pots. XR rode (nervously) on the horse as he was close to her stand. Just as he was close, his horse was spooked by the sound of metal clashing, his horse went crazy. A child not too far from him was almost stomped but he saw Nos pull the kid away and instead his horse destroyed her stand.
His horse finally calmed down he mounts off his horse and went to them only to get a serious (and very enraged) look from Nos. "How dare you!" She stated and he swore he heard her growl.
"I can pay-"
"You almost hurt her!"
XR was surprised from what she said. "Your not -!"
XR was pulled by his chestplate as his wife looked scary.
'She's really gorgeous when she's angry.'
"If you ever ride a horse without caution, I will make you suffer." She said coldly.
He nodded too in awed by his wife.
"Now you pay her for that stunt."
"What about you?" He asked.
Nos looked her stand and sighed. "I will explain to my husband what happened. Please be more cautious sir." And she turned away to clean up the mess. As she was cleaning up, XR helped her pick up the pieces. "It's the least I can do for you." He replied.
Nos tilted her head. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
XR froze, trying to figure an answer to tell her.
"I just have those moments a lot." He blurted out.
Nos swore she knew him but just couldn't think of where.
As soon as they finished Nos made her way home to see her husband was already there.
"Hello Nos!" XR waved, hoping Nos didnt expect anything.
Nos smiles a small smile but frowns. "Hello XR."
XR pretending to be confused held her hands. "What's the matter?"
Nos explained everything that happened as XR was smiling behind the bandages how she at the time didn't care about the pots.
"I just could not bear to see the little girl hurt or worse. But I still did not sell enough."
"Nos it's ok, accidents happens but I'm sorry that happened. I shouldn't have put too much responsibility on you."
"I am thankful, I only wish that idiot would be more cautious."
'If only she knew.' XR was thought nervously but was caught off guard when she got up and kissed him on his covered cheek.
"I still wish to find work to help out but for now allow me to make dinner." As Nos went to make dinner, XR was blushing, feeling his cheeks burning.
As XR was entering their room after cleaning the dishes, he was surprised seeing Nos in their bed, already asleep. XR blushes and carefully laid on the bed with her. He turns onto his side and looks to the back of his wife. He reaches out but stops in midway, knowing this was baby steps in their marriage. He smiles, already seeing the humble heart she has surfacing out. XR kept his back to her in respect, for once peacefully fell asleep. When he woke up he was surprised to find her curled to his side as he blushes feeling her breath by his neck. He carefully held her close and smiled to hold her this way. He was already falling back to sleep with her in his arms.
The second time he woke up only to feel no presence of her in the bed. He frowns, believing it was a dream.
"Oh you are up." He looked up surprised to find her in a servant attire from his kingdom. He was already redder than before and was thankful he was wrapped in bandages to hide away the blush.
"I was able to find work at the kingdom! They were looking for women to hire and luckily I was hired."
XR froze in shocked. 'I can't let her go through with this! I need to tell her the truth.' Before he could speak, she kisses him.
XR was surprised by this; to him he felt time stop and his heart beated so fast, he swear she could hear his heart pounding for her. What felt like an eternity, it was only seconds and she pulls away, blushing. "XR I am terribly sorry I have put you through a lot and I can be a pain but I am truly grateful you accepted me and showed patience with me. I… I love you." She smiles happily.
XR was surprised and felt her lips once again but couldn't feel it as much as he hoped as she pulls away. "I will be heading to work now, please get some rest." And she left, leaving a shocked and lovestruck XR.
He snapped out of it to realize what just happened. "How do I tell her?!"
He as fast as he could, head to his kingdom and changed to his usual attire and head out to find her. He went to the kitchen to see Nos was cleaning the pots and pans and reorganizing everything. 'Her father did say she would organize the books so many times…' but he saw she was always quiet and ever so respectful even when some would try to argue with her and he would keep an eye out. That is what he did through the second to third week, watching over his wife while she did her work as she was not only paid but also given food they did not eat which she was grateful to share with him and a dog she had brought after he followed her home.
"Please XR? He was tied up and alone. I could not let him stay there and die." XR at first allowed her to keep the dog but the dog was downright evil. Everytime he wanted to get close to Nos, that demon now dubbed drac would growl at him or shine and hog her attention from him. 'If I didn't know any better, the dog is trying to keep her all to himself…' But he did respect the dog especially when drac was a good watchdog when he protected Nos from creeps as she walked back home. But seeing his wife was humble and caring, he decided to reveal himself to her by celebrating his marriage.
"XR there is to be a celebration for the king's marriage. They told me I must be present out of respect. Will you be there?" She asked.
"Of course I will." XR smiled through the bandages.
Nos smiled and kisses him as he kisses back. The greatest moments he cherished were her in his arms. He would hold her close and hums tunes to her and she would hum with him. Then there were days she would kiss him as he would do the same and she was not scared. She would even ask if he would walk with her and they would talk almost about anything. There were nights where they would pay on their backs and look to the stars and imagine what were they and makeup stories. "Than I will not be alone. I must be heading out soon, ready?"
XR smiles but hears drac growling at him as if he knew what he was planning.
"It won't be bad."
The dog gave what XR could assume was a scoff and he left to follow Nos.
XR frowns hoping Nos would be happy than hurt as he was not too far behind.
Later that night.
Nos waited by the side as she was amazed by the decorations and how beautiful it was here but her thoughts were more on her husband XR, hoping he was coming. It was odd she never seen his face before and wondered would he unwrap his bandages just for her to see him? She was falling for him so much that she stopped mourning for her loss of regret and smiled waking up in XR's arms. She was happy with what she has and to be by XR side, it was worth more than anything in this world.
'How would he feel if I ask him if we may have children...?' she wonders but hears the trumpets and sees the king and thrushbeard entering in. She was amazed he looked handsome but she felt regret. Not of her rejecting him but something else.
'I made him shave his beard! I can see why he loved his beard…' She sees his father with the same beard and realized it was a family tradition! She smiled to see he was happy. 'I hope his wife loves him.' She looked around to find her husband but he was nowhere to be seen and was worried if he was not allowed to enter in. 'I should go find him!'
XR was smiling in hopes Nos loves the party to celebrate their marriage. He looks around to find her only she was looking around for him and he smiled.
"Better get your wife son."
XR nodded and walks toward her.
As she was about to leave, XR holds her hand. She was surprised at first but frowns.
"Will you dance with me?" XR asked.
"I am sorry but I need to find my husband." She replied.
XR was surprised but then wondered if she was willing to dance with him.
"I'm sure he won't mind."
"But I love my husband." Nos pulls away but XR was not giving up.
"I wish to share this dance with you." XR exclaimed.
Nos pulls away but she didn't know she was too close to the serving table that she slipped and crashed into the table, dropping and spilling all over her. She sees everyone laughing at her and ridicule her.
XR was hurt by this as well he felt responsible for this. 'I should have told her.'
Nos ran off crying not being humiliated but fear of losing her job.
"Nos wait!"
She stopped hearing thrushbeard and turns to see him coming toward her.
"Your highness forgive me but please I only want to be with my husband."
"I'm right here!"
Nos was confused and glared. She gave a look at him and when she imagined him bandages she couldn't believed it. "No that cannot be! He is a minstrel who is kind hearted and sweet-"
"As soon as we gotten married, we went traveled through the land and you asked me who owns the land and I said king thrushbeard. Each night you would sleep on the floor because despite we were married, you were uncomfortable. I respected that and then for the past week now, you shared a bed with me." XR smiled as Nos was quiet and felt his hands holds her own. "My love I am very sorry I did this to you, I just wanted to bring out the humble heart you kept hiding. I love you."
Nos still quiet XR pull away. "Go get cleaned up and please let us celebrate our marriage."
Soon enough maids came and lead her to a room she assumed was hers.
"The king chose a beautiful wife!" One of them stated but Nos didn't care.
"Please let us-"
"May you please leave. I wish to do this on my own." Nos asked and gave them her fake sweet smile.
"Of course milady! Call us if you need anything." They spoke and left. As soon as they left and out of earshot, Nos locks the door and pulls away and began to cry. "He lied to me! The man I loved is not real!" She cried even more. 'The one thing I feared occurred. What do I do?" The last part she whispered. She heard a barking and knew it was drac. "Maybe the king is lying! He is telling me my love XR is him but secretly he is being kept outside!" She grabbed and pulls out all of the dresses and rips them to make rope. "He wants to make me think that he and my husband are the same! Well I cannot accept that!" She stops and realize she was still a mess so she looked around through the untorn dresses to find a burgundy simple dress that looked similar to what she was wearing. She remembered XR telling her she looks quite lovely in red and the roses he would bring was always burgundy. She frowns at the possible truth that they were the same.
Shaking her head, she went to the bath and wash away the mess. She sat in the bath and wondered what if he was telling her the truth?
"Do i stay?" She doesn't know but she did love being where she was before this disaster. Waiting to see her husband and feeling his arms hold her close, protecting her. She sighed and wondered but soon shook away and gotten out of the bath. She dries up and saw her curls were forming and saw her long burgundy hair look alive. She turned away and began to dress in the simple burgundy dress and finished what she began.
XR was hoping she was alright as he waited by the balcony.
He wonders what is taking so long and remembered his mother use to tell him women take long to impress their love. He smiled wondering how beautiful she will be.
"Gah!"
XR turned to see his wife climbing down. He rushes out.
Nos took her time getting down feeling it has been a long while since she has done this. 'I better hurry!'
XR was able to get outside to see his wife dressed in the simple burgundy dress he had asked to be made for her. 'She looks so gorgeous- Wait! I can't ogle her while she's trying to runaway!' He looks up and ran faster than before to see the rope she made was ripping!
Nos was scared to find she was nearly 20 feet from the ground and felt the rope was tearing. She could let go if the floor was not stone. She was scared now and could feel it hanging. "I want my husband here!" She cried. Just as the rope gave out she fell. She closed her eyes in hope her death was not slow and painful. She kept thinking of XR hoping he would forgive her but she felt strong arms catch her. She looked to see it was the king but also saw his eyes. She knew right there it was XR and she was enraged.
"What were you thinking!? Nos I don't want you to ever do that! I could not bear if you got hurt or worse!" He leans forward to kiss her.
SLAP!
XR lets go to see Nos hand was red but but not as red as his slapped face. He was ready to asked when he saw her hold back tears that dared to fall. She walked away and when she was far, she ran.
"Nos!" He ran but was stopped by drac who was growling and baring his teeth at him.
"Drac!"
The dog ran to follow her as did XR but decided to use a horse instead.
As Nos ran to her house, she opened it in a rush and let drac in first and shuts the door. XR mounts off the horse and saw the door locked. He was reaching out to grab his own keys but it was not there. 'She must have grabbed it when I saved her.'
"Nos please open up!?" He shouted. "I know it was wrong but please I only did this to help you cherish the small things and be humble!" XR cried out and felt hurt but heard her crying. He walked to where their room was and peeked to find her crying.
"Please XR come home! Please tell me your not the king and I was not lied to..!"
XR sat against the wall as he felt guilt trailing down his chest. 'I should have told her…'
He got up and left, seeing she needed her space. "I'll come back tomorrow!" He left with his horse.
"I guess the party was too much and well keeping her there was no good either but she can't really hold a grudge. She probably miss being a princess or misses home!" he can bring her back and while at that he can court her properly!
The next day. XR walked to their home but saw she was tending to the gardens by herself. He walks over to her but hears drac growling.
"I'll keep my distance!" He glared but smiled to see her still wearing the dress.
"You truly do look gorgeous in burgundy." He gave a smile but saw she was quiet as a mouse and continue to tend to the carrots as she picked up one.
"I understand that you're upset and maybe miss home! I was hoping we can restart-"
Slice!
XR cringed when she cut the carrot from the roots but she purposely cut a good chunk of the tip and he felt scared.
"So maybe not restart! We can make this work, I will take you home and-"
"I am already home." She stated.
XR was surprised and smiled. "I do love you Nos. Even now I still do especially when you smacked me! I definitely love how strong you are!" He smiled but sees her walking away with a basket of carrots in her arms.
He stops her and stands before their home.
"Nos do you love me?" XR asked.
"I do love you XR," she stated.
He smiled happily.
"But I had loved the man I was with here who as it turns out does not exist." She said feeling her tears coming down.
"But I am him! That wasn't a lie, I am him. I just pretended to be from a different class and I only wanted to melt that cold heart you kept."
"I am thankful you did that but I feel I am unworthy for you even after yesterday. Most men that tried to ask my hand were only after claiming me as if I am a prize or to use me as if I was an object." Nos glared at the thought. "You did not do such acts and you were patient with me. I still love you XR but I will not go back with you."
XR groans. "Please tell me and I will do it!" XR spoke but Nos moved around him and closes the door but not until drac came in.
XR sighed, "Just so you know I'll keep coming back even if it means I am old and withered. I'll do whatever you want." but he heard no answer.
"I'll come back tomorrow!" And he left. Nos opens the door a bit and saw him gone. "How long does it take for a man to grow a beard?"
Drac shook his head.
"Then he has until then and I will comeback. Now then, let's go make dinner." she said happily but already she misses XR.
That night XR sneaked around the house to see her crying and he felt bad. He leans against the wall and notices it was getting cold and decided he can bring her gifts! The things she needs.
Nos opens the doors to find blankets by her door. She reads the note.
"Please let these blankets keep you warm when I cannot."
Nos smiled but saw he brought too many blankets. She remembered the the king was having a charity to offer things to those that cannot own.
XR was helping out the event and wonder if Nos was here or not.
"Sir! There was this beautiful lady who brought these here!"
XR was dumbfounded and saw only two out of ten blankets he gave her were brought. He smiled in relief.
"There was a small letter too."
He beamed and read the letter.
"This is sweet but you are not close to bringing me back to you."
He frowns but smiles. "It's a start."
He knew Nos did not have enough for her so he brought her food for her.
Nos was grateful but glared believing he did not have faith she would survive. She then remembers an old man who can barely hold food but was never able to bring enough. XR walked around town to see his wife holding the food. He was confused and assumed she was going to sell it. He watches her only to see her go further away and saw her knock at the clock tower.
He sees the old man who worked at the clock tower for nearly 50 years. He saw the old man allow her in and she closes the door. XR was shocked but waited for the past hours until it was sundown. He saw her leave and smiled.
Nos was able to help the old clock keeper. She cooked food for him that will last for the week until his nephew comes back. She even helps him polish the clogs and even learned a few things about the clock.
"Thank sir for teaching me about the clock."
"Well this old man knows a few good tricks but thank you for the meals and helping me, hopefully my nephew will comes soon."
Nos smiled and left. As she walked away, she sees her husband around the corner and kept on walking away, ignoring him.
XR was relieved she did not see him but he was curious what did she do for the entire time. As soon as he made it to their small home, he saw a note on the door.
"XR please do not assume dreadful things. I saw you following me. All I did was help him polish clogs."
XR was relieved but wondered what to do next, unaware he was growing his beard back. For the past month XR was watching over her and saw she was doing alright on her own. When she was selling baskets and vegetables, XR was always there buying baskets from her. He was jealous when she gave him a small smile or a mutual face but to others she gave a smile and even talk to them. XR would try to talk to her but she would only talk a bit and told him all the time.
"I love you but I will not come back to you yet." There were times when she did talk to him on the way home and she would thank him walking her home just before he was chased out by drac.
"At least she tries to pull drac back to give me a chance to run." He said as he looked to his clothes with torn sleeves and some on his legs.
"If I didn't know better, he was trying to kill me."
Zurg, his father in law was shocked. "How dare she keeps a monster with her. Let me talk with her, maybe I can get her to change her mind-"
"No it's not necessary sir; she has been really kind and sweet. Maybe I should ask her again tomorrow. Goodnight." He said and left.
The next day
XR came to her little stand and was shocked to see a man tall and handsome with burgundy hair.
"Sister dear it is grand to see you doing well but please just go back and forgive him."
"You just want a nephew or niece and I will as soon as he grows back his thrushbeard." She spoke.
Sirlene raised a brow and could only nod. "So would it be possible to close up shop early? I do miss you and wish to talk to you."
Nos smiles. "Only if you help me bring these home. Usually my husband is here but it seems he is not." she felt a small pain but dismisses it.
XR watched as this man helps her bring them home.
XR glares but knew if anyone can scare away someone, it was drac.
"Quel chiot mignon vous avez! Quel est son prénom?" he cooed and drac was as excited as a puppy.
'Drac you are the worst.' XR glares at drac who was more kind and giddy to the man.
"This is drac, he has been very sweet to me." Nos replied and looked up to see not too far was XR.
"Brother that man over there by the tree is my husband."
Sirlene turns slightly to see him and grins. "He looks like your type."
Nos crosses her arms but giggles. "Don't make me kick your butt, I am your older sister."
"Of course but would you like me to introduce myself to him." He asked with a glint in his eye. "It is your choice but please do not hurt him. I do love him." She said softly.
"Mais il vous a fait pleurer, ce n'est pas quelque chose que je vais laisser passer."
"But he did help me be humble brother, I am no longer upset of him but I want him to grow out his beard." she spoke.
Sirlene nodded but he still wishes to at least scare him.
XR watches as the man enters in their home and he was already walking there. Just as he was ready to bang the door he was listening in on them.
"Brother how was France? Was it well?"
XR froze and thinking it now both had the same color hair and same eyes. He was already feeling guilty of thinking his wife would ever do such.
"I was over thinking it."
"I prefer de vous appeler et idiot." XR jumped from seeing the said brother glaring at him.
"Hi I'm XR." He said nervously.
"So I have heard. I am Sirlene, your brother in law or possibly not if you keep this up."
XR was shocked and glared. "Hey I love her very much and I trust her."
"Trust is a strong word for you. Sneaking around her as if she will make the wrong choice or sleep with another man." He glared.
"I was going to see her but I saw her with you and I wanted to respect her. She probably hates me after this."
Sirlene raised a brow and looked to his sister who was next to him filled with guilt.
"She does love you."
"Than what can I do to bring her back."
Sirlene looks to him and saw his beard was Nearly there.
"Lets just say you are almost there." Sirlene spoke.
XR was surprised and smiled with hope and saw it was nearly dark. "I better get going then-"
"No you are not." Sirlene grabs him by the arm.
"It is never safe at night. This is also your home so please do come in."
XR smiles but was hoping Nos will let him in. He hears the door open to see Nos let him in.
XR grins and enters in. It was quiet between Nos and XR as Sirlene broke the silence by talking about his time in France.
XR smiled and saw how happy Nos was as she talked to him.
"So Nos told me you play the flute beautifully."
XR looks to her and saw she was blushing.
"Well yes but I wouldn't say beautifully-"
"May you play for us?"
"Please XR?"
XR smiles to hear Nos. "For you anything."
He saw Nos got up and left to their room to bring the flute in.
XR had thought she would have thrown it away but to see it was taken care of made his heart soar. He plays the flute and wat he's Nos as she closed her eyes and hums to the song. As soon as he finishes, Sirlene claps happily but sees Nos fell asleep.
Sirlene was ready to place her in her bed when XR stops him.
Sirlene nods and XR holds her like a bride. He takes her to their bed and covers her. As he was ready to go, he felt her hand on his own.
"Please do not go…" She said tiredly. XR saw her move for him to lay next to her and he slips in. XR felt her hug him and felt her tears coming down.
"I love you Nos."
"I love you too XR…"
"Will you come back with me?"
She places her hand on his jaw and mumbles. "Soon…" and drifted into sleep.
XR smiled and holds her close finally sleeping peacefully.
The next day.
"Why won't she come back?" XR asked himself as he made his way to Nos. He has, for a month now, was more in her daily life and even got to talk to her for hours. He was even allowed in their home. It was great but she still will not come back.
"I also need to shave." For a whole month now he has yet to shave and his beard was before.
Just as he came to see her he saw her look at him and walked towards him in a rush.
XR froze in place and close his eyes. He was waiting for anything to occur but nothing. He opens his eyes to see Nos reach out and tugs his beard.
He sees her smiled whilst he was too confused. Before he could asked, she leans to him and kisses him.
XR was surprised and feels her wrap her arms around his neck. He pulls back. "Nos- mph!" he was pulled back and felt her kiss him vigorously. XR gave in and kisses her back with the same amount of passion. He feels her pull back and smiled. "I apologize luv but I wanted you to grow your beard."
"So will you come back with me?" XR asked and he felt her kiss him again.
"I will but under a few conditions." She spoke.
"Anything."
"I wish to share only with you my nights. I disliked the separate rooms."
XR nodded vigorously, already blushing at the thought of her there.
"I wish to still help others but I want you with me along keeping drac in the castle."
"Done." He said and he felt her lean to his ear.
"Do not shave your beard." She whispered.
XR blushes and nods.
"And one more thing."
XR was curious as she pulls away but not too far. "Will you be my husband?"
XR smiles and hugs her. "Of course!" XR smiled and kissed her.
The end
Happy birthday tiedwithribbons!